IT’S a subject that makes many parents squirm, but they should speak openly to their children about sex and not just leave it to teachers to deal with.

So says Bay clinical sexologist and Weekend Post columnist Leandie Buys, who held a panel discussion at a Port Elizabeth school recently to better equip parents and teachers for the task.

Buys said parents often found it difficult to talk to their children about sex while schools realised there was a need for information.

Buys headed a panel of five teachers representing several Bay schools at Linkside High School.

She said there were still those who believed “sex is a taboo subject” to speak to children about.

“I realised that not only the kids should be educated, but the parents too. I believe by educating children about sex from an early age, they will be well-equipped to make informed decisions in the future.”

Linkside acting principal James Hay asked whether sex education was still necessary, as children could turn to websites or magazines for information, while Derryk Jordan, Grey High director of pastoral care, said “it is important that sex education is not done in isolation”.

“It should be done in a loving, caring and nurturing environment. If parents don’t address the issue it (information about sex) will come from somewhere else.”

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Alexander Road High School guidance counsellor and life orientation teacher Linda Emery encouraged parents to talk about it as the opportunity arose.

According to Buys, parents are the primary educators and “sex talk happens from two years old and up”.

Linkside High life orientation teacher Roxanne Wrethman said children had many questions in the classroom, from wanting to know about ovulation to how to use a condom.

Newton Technical High School teacher Delray Prince said children had to be educated about HIV and Aids.